Former Premier League star now working as a train driver

A unique career path

Martin Grainger, former left-back of Birmingham City, is now a train driver. He talked about his injury and his career in his new book ‘Cut Short’.

The 53-year-old now works for Govia Thameslink railway, after 13 years in his career as a footballer, three of them in the English Premier League.

You might remember him as part of the team that helped Birmingham get promoted to the Prem through the 2002 play-offs.

His career ended a tad too early however, as a serious knee injury meant he had to hang up his boots aged just 31.

Sir Alex Ferguson and United fans probably will remember him too, as he scored a free-kick goal from 30 yards against the Red Devils in April 2004 in his last game as a professional.

“We were playing at Middlesbrough in September 2002. I felt something uncomfortable in my knee”, Grainger writes in his book as he remembers his injury.

He started as a train driver in 2015 after working as a painter and decorator, and enjoys a normal, healthy life 20 years on from the injury that ended his career.

However, he says he does enjoy a game of golf now, two decades after giving football his farewell.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to be able to give you a load of squat thrusts in the gym. But I enjoy a game of golf a couple of times a week”, he laughed.